The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1887-11-25
TIE REPLY.

from soasIping Mrs. Taylor that Hattie
Belden thought prudence Warren
should have been dropped long 500. -
she WAS as gracious TO her as thouyh sad
bit OF gossip had never reached her zars
Mrs- Bryant's annual New Years party
had been talked over, and Hattie RaIIeI
was certain that her hostess had an inyi.
tatIon when she broached aIOsher sub.
ject.
Mrs. Taylor was telling re thai ron
were making your blue silk; l al divine
to see ii ~
Miserable old ncwsrsnyer - tbonch+
Prudle, As she brought out tine drg,,.
w by, Prudence, IL really looks wen.
No one would ever know that il Was an
old one, only, of course, those who have
always seen 1t; and you wore it last year,
didn't you ?'
Yes" ad.itted Prudie, who knew
her own mind all the malice Sni spite of
her visitors jealous heart.
Il have new velvet" went on Miss
Belden. But / suppose W. shall be
eclipsed by Miss Eaton, who is visiting
airs. Bryant, Less betro:hed You
know"
Unexpected as was the blow. not =
sign did Prudie Warner give that tho
news was aught to her as she went on
ioldIng the silk, preparatory to laying it
away.
Indeed do not know" she returoed,
quite pleasantly
No, it IS not known generally" con-
unued Mlss Belden, keeping Ecr sharp
eye upon Prudie
But that young lady held her o-yn
bravely until her mischievou5 friend
departed, and was safely down the steps.
hese village gossIps, how odious thew
are she said 10 herself, with 4 sigh OF
relief
Then she " cnt into her own little drass-
ing-room, where lay the despised blue
silk, and her eyes grew heavy with a
burden OF tears
''oh, how wish I w-re richy" she
cred; i Wall not never eaR-go there
now"
But everything seemed to Prudie in =
distorted and poyerty-stricken light this
morning.
How She did wish she could have a
bright new dress
Everyone would have new dres, but
herself
Bat go she must, and be as bright and
gay as the others, or everyone would sus-
prct her secret; for Lee Bryant had been
doNc-eyed PrudIe's greatest friend and
devoted cavalier from childhood, and
now they sail he UIs engaged to Eva
Eaton, the blueeyed 1airy visiting at his
mothers hous-.
IOJr Prudie
She was only wor&inGman's daugh-
ter, and the village tongues thought that
Mrs. Bryant, the rich mans vile OF Viii
Hnston, had made too much OF her.
At last, Wiping away her tears, she
stood up, and putting on her things, went
out ior = walk
Far aheal OF her the dead leaves were
whlrliag III little cddics, ami heaplny
themselves at the side ol the road.
She picked up a long, slender stick,
and began turning over the leaves as she
p..ssed, IN ling lsnguid sort oI ENJOY
lnent in her occupation.
All 1T once she started.
Surely that was no monster leaf!
No, but well-filled, worn leather
pocket book, half covered with the bur
rying leaves.
PrGdie stopped and picked it up.
At that moment her bad angel must
have been passing, for she glanced fur
lively around her, and seeing no one,
thrust it into the breast OF her Jacket
and walked on with hasty steps.
AS she nearei home she met Mrs. Tav-
Tor, who exclaimed, Laws, child, how
news Old Mr.. Bryant has lost his
pocket-book with over five hundred
pounds ia II. He's been postin' up rl-
ward Tor 1t - twenty pounds. There's
one Of them" - pointing to I bill at the
corner.
Prudie read it hastily, and excusing
herself, passed into her fathers yard
On entering the house she found not
waiting father, but note lying upon the
table
1t was Just at tho hour of twilight, and
1. Il. l1.f
read =
Your uncs Is very i'll at Manchester,
and l am obliged to leave by the 4.J0
train. VIII be home tomorrow.
"FAruER.'
Thus left to herself sho closed every
blind and drew every curtain ii the lit
tie cottage. Glancipg stcalthily around
into every corner OF the darkened apars-
ment, Ehe drew the heavy pOckct-D0Ok
from her breast and opened it. Yes
there it WAS, more money than she had
ever seen together in her life. Need l
say that she WAS tempted? The poverty
OF her every day lie rose before her-the
bright love dream OF her life, which lay
in ssIres At her feet, passed before her
mental vision. No one saw her pick the
pockst-bOok Hp. She couL destroy it,
and even her own father would pever
know.
Mr.. Bryant was tho owner of a half
million; As would never feel the loss,
while she must toll, unloYed, because she
was poor. lnstinxtIvely her hand took
up the pocketbook and the few papers it
contained, and placed them in the open
crate. Then she went for wood and
match. She struck the match. 1t
burned with fsebls ray, but that one
Ill l1r.l,S .
an ancient illuminated Ten Command
ments" which hung upon the wall, and
that ins shone out like text of fire.
"Thou. shalt not steal" The match fell
from the Outstretched hand The arti-
cleS were suatchcd from tho crate. and
she replaced everything as she first .ound
them. Thea tbs wklEs lips whispered
- In | = thi2f?" Conscience IsHorGd
"Alato@f-Ros quite
IoFaia: csma sold and gray, tho NOM
ing o. tao l2sE day OF the wear, LH1 morn
Ing bcis-s Ma. Eryant's party. E-tora
EIae 'Sicsk FFaIio Warner Wa again
Gyesacl IA aer cray walkin g-sui5 - in
tho slress-thi3 limo bound for tn great
houss uF02 tAs hllL IL WAS = tllcli Ii
tie pull that PrUlis gave the ball but it
Wa in lre d.ata!y answered by Mrs. BTy-
ant hsr-eii who kissed Prudie Affection
etely - she on taF=d-
MY tS1t, Why EaNe you nos C.dltCi on
u5 before? ! havo been tslling Eva al
about you, and h3yo looked for you
every clear day.
We have been 7ory loaoly since Lee
has been 70 London, but lie returns to-
day. Come ia and sse Eva; and she
hurrisd embarrassed PTUlIe in.o tho
breakfastFoon.
"My niece, Eva Eaton, MiSs Warner
she continued.
Why, Prutiic, how d2zed you lookT
'Well / may" said Prudie recovering
herself. 81 found Ar. Bryant's POCKET
BOOK"
''Is that % 7'' cried Mr.. Brvant from
the other side Of the room. "lEkera ON